French Phrase
Ça coûte combien, l'assurance ?
Meaning
This sentence asks for the price of an insurance policy. It is a casual, spoken‑language way to inquire about cost, suitable for a shop, an insurance office, or a conversation with a friend.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are comparing insurance options, negotiating a policy, or simply need to know the price before signing up. It works best in informal contexts; in a formal setting you might choose a more polished version.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Çacoûtecombien,l'assurance?
Ça (demonstrative pronoun)
‘Ça’ is an informal way to say ‘it/that’, often used in spoken French to introduce a question.
coûter (verb)
‘coûter’ means ‘to cost’; in the present tense third‑person singular it becomes ‘coûte’.
combien (interrogative adverb)
‘combien’ asks for a quantity or price and is placed after the verb in informal questions.
l' (elided article)
The definite article ‘le/la’ drops the vowel before a vowel‑starting noun, giving ‘l’’.
assurance (noun, feminine)
‘assurance’ means ‘insurance’; it is a feminine noun, so the article is ‘la’ (elided to ‘l’).
🗨In Conversation
Ça coûte combien, l'assurance ?
How much does the insurance cost?
Elle coûte 200 euros par an.
It costs 200 euros per year.
✕Common Mistakes
C’est combien, l'assurance ?
‘c’est’ means ‘it is’, not ‘it costs’; using it changes the meaning.
Combien ça coûte l'assurance ?
The word order is awkward in spoken French; the adverb ‘combien’ should follow the verb.
Ça coûte combien, les assurances ?
‘assurance’ is singular; adding an ‘s’ makes it plural and incorrect here.
↔Alternatives
Quel est le prix de l'assurance ?
What is the price of the insurance?
Combien coûte l'assurance ?
How much does the insurance cost?
C’est combien, l’assurance ?
How much is the insurance?
Cultural Tip
In everyday French, ‘Ça coûte combien ?’ is perfectly natural and friendly. In a more formal environment—like speaking with a bank officer or writing an email—opt for ‘Quel est le prix de l’assurance ?’ or ‘Combien coûte l’assurance ?’. Also note that the word ‘assurance’ is feminine, so adjectives agree (e.g., ‘une assurance complète’).